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New Taskmaster series

165 replies

ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 13:04

AIBU to have never heard of any of the contestants on the new series ? I love taskmaster so trust they have picked a line up that "works" but my god they seem to have run out of people who are in any way famous.
Had to Google the whole cast. From what I can see :
JOANNE MCNALLY – Irish stand up apparently
JOHN ROBINS - Seems to be a Freddie Mercury impersonator who doesn't look anything like him. Also 5live presenter ?

NICK MOHAMMED - Mr Swallow??!
SOPHIE WILLAN – stand up it seems STEVE PEMBERTON - used to be in 'Benidorm' which I have heard of but hate.

Anyone else scratching their head?

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ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 18:32

Goldenpashmina · 16/01/2024 18:31

Not heard of any of them but isn't that part of the joy of taskmaster?

I'd never heard of at least 3/5 of the average line up and some of them are comedy geniuses!

Agree I have full faith in the mix of people picked.

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Goldenpashmina · 16/01/2024 18:31

Not heard of any of them but isn't that part of the joy of taskmaster?

I'd never heard of at least 3/5 of the average line up and some of them are comedy geniuses!

Foxblue · 16/01/2024 18:30

They've always had a mix of well known vs less known or tv newcomers, that's what's brilliant about it!

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ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 18:29

omgz · 16/01/2024 18:09

TM is always a mix of more and less mainstream comedy people. It isn't 'celebs do tasks'.

From your posts it seems you don't know much about the British comedy scene - no problem with that, but I think it probably means you might need to readjust your expectations about recognising the contestants. Three out of five of them are very well-known even if you only follow comedy loosely by watching it on TV.

Edited

I don't think if you went out to the man on the Clapham omnibus, Joe public would know 3 out of 5 . From the responses it looks like he might know Pemberton from Benidorm.

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ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 18:25

ghostyslovesheets · 16/01/2024 18:19

Oh and 5 live is a new/sport/entertainment channel - not just sport - good news coverage

Yes but I assumed he wasn't a news presenter!

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ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 18:25

Krustykrabpizza · 16/01/2024 18:17

John Robins was also recently in a relationship with emerald fennel, director of Saltburn and pregnant Barbie in Barbie movie. I only know this as DH is a fan and listens to his podcasts

I've just googled this and I don't think this is true? DH cant be that much of a fan! I'm going to know EVERYTHING about this line up by the time it starts now ! 😂

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LillyLeaf · 16/01/2024 18:22

I thought it looked like a fantastic line up from the advert. Looking forward to it. I thought everyone was pretty well known.

Although I often haven't a clue who a lot of TV people are, no clue about soaps or reality 'stars' so it depends what you're into.

Eukanuba · 16/01/2024 18:22

RainbowZebraWarrior · 16/01/2024 13:24

I know. I thought that, too.

I shall watch it for Steve alone. Incredibly intelligent and talented writer and actor.

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Well said , would love to see Reece on a future series too .

ghostyslovesheets · 16/01/2024 18:19

Oh and 5 live is a new/sport/entertainment channel - not just sport - good news coverage

Krustykrabpizza · 16/01/2024 18:17

John Robins was also recently in a relationship with emerald fennel, director of Saltburn and pregnant Barbie in Barbie movie. I only know this as DH is a fan and listens to his podcasts

ghostyslovesheets · 16/01/2024 18:16

OMG I LOVE Sophie Willan - she's amazing - if you haven't check out Alma's Not Normal on BBC - written from her experience as a care leaver - rather rude and very funny - sad in places.

Krustykrabpizza · 16/01/2024 18:12

John robins is not a Freddie Mercury impersonator 😂

Not knowing them doesn't bother me, lots of the contestants I hadn't heard of ended up being my faves

omgz · 16/01/2024 18:09

TM is always a mix of more and less mainstream comedy people. It isn't 'celebs do tasks'.

From your posts it seems you don't know much about the British comedy scene - no problem with that, but I think it probably means you might need to readjust your expectations about recognising the contestants. Three out of five of them are very well-known even if you only follow comedy loosely by watching it on TV.

Simplelobsterhat · 16/01/2024 18:06

ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 17:16

Is he a queen impressionist? Genuinely it's hard to find out. Musical act?

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He's a normal stand up comedian. Has been on all the usual things you see stand ups I think, Live at the Apollo, Mock the week etc. I know he's known for being a massive Queen fan but not sure he's ever done impersonations / tribute acts (I could be wrong). He's clearly chosen a Freddie Mercury jacket for his taskmaster outfit though. But people wear all sorts for taskmaster!

He does a podcast with Elis James which I like 'How do you cope' interviewing celebrities about difficult things in their lives. I believe they also have a sport one / radio programme but not heard that as I'm not into sport. He seems to take himself very seriously and be a huge overthinker on the podcast which could be interesting for taskmaster.

maddening · 16/01/2024 17:18

I would watch for Steve Pemberton- he is fab

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ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 17:16

Mayorq · 16/01/2024 16:13

Put some respect on Edinburgh comedy award winner (sharer if we're being pedantic) John Robins' name

Is he a queen impressionist? Genuinely it's hard to find out. Musical act?

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RedPony1 · 16/01/2024 16:21

I love Taskmaster but actually didnt know any of them!

Mayorq · 16/01/2024 16:13

Put some respect on Edinburgh comedy award winner (sharer if we're being pedantic) John Robins' name

ExtraOnions · 16/01/2024 16:12

Steve Pemberton, “the guy who used to be on Benidorm” , has tickled me. I’ve messaged a mutual friend to pass that one on.

Nick Mohammed is really funny, and a bright guy.

Sophie Willian, again, mutual friends (it’s the comedy mafia!), she’s hilarious, and will not suffer fools - so good luck Alex !

MindHowYouGoes · 16/01/2024 16:02

Nick Mohammed is a very talented guy - ted lasso, intelligence, drifters

SecondHandFurniture · 16/01/2024 15:55

It doesn't bother me at all. Some of the ones I knew (Dave Gorman, Joe Thomas from Inbetweeners, Katherine Parkinson from IT Crowd) were the worst - incredibly dull or absolutely useless at tasks in a not-funny way.

Itsdifficulttodomyjobsometimes · 16/01/2024 15:32

ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 13:58

Ok based on responses have done some more googling. Steeve Pemberton has been in League of Gentlemen also and tbf that was big in the 2000s. Inside No 9 I've also heard of but not seen (although has been recommended). John Robins still not a clue. So he is the ex of Sara Pascoe? I've never heard him present on 5live. Sports ?

Inside No. 9 is very clever but I have to confess some of them are a bit too dark for me.
Episodes I have enjoyed are A Quiet Night In and The Referee's a Wanker. Very different episodes but brilliant.

tealweasel · 16/01/2024 14:24

I can't believe no-one here has mentioned My Therapist Ghosted Me - Joanne is hilarious on the podcast.

I don't think this is a particularly obscure cast to be honest. The only one I wasn't 100% sure I'd seen before was Sophie Willan, and there's usually at least one cast member I don't recognise per season. As someone else said, they usually turn out to be the funniest ones!

RainbowZebraWarrior · 16/01/2024 14:04

ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 13:58

Ok based on responses have done some more googling. Steeve Pemberton has been in League of Gentlemen also and tbf that was big in the 2000s. Inside No 9 I've also heard of but not seen (although has been recommended). John Robins still not a clue. So he is the ex of Sara Pascoe? I've never heard him present on 5live. Sports ?

I'd also highly recommend Inside No 9. The final season will be aired this year. Also, he was a writer / co writer of this and LOG, not just 'in it'

I don't know why I feel the need to rectify this fact. I'm not Steve Pemberton, or a relation, honest. 😆

I'm very vague about the other contestants myself, but when I see them I'll probably go "Ohhh him!"